News 2008

World Cup 2008, Riva del Garda, Italy
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This year's last competition on my behalf was the World Cup in Riva del Garda, Italy, October 16th-19th. It was the 3rd edition of WC, the first one took place in USA 2004 and the second in Spain two years ago. 2006 I won 2nd degree patterns and this time I managed to conquer the 1st place in 3rd degree division. This title has a certain significance to me, as it's my first remarkable win in the 3rd degrees. There were 46 competitors in the division and very good ones as well, eg. vice world champion Julian Vassallo from Argentina, Chan Anderson from USA (whom I won 3-2 in the opening round) and this year's European Championships silver medalist, World Championship bronze medalist and the winner in the previous World Cup Arne Witzö from Norway. I met Arne in the quarter final and this time it was my turn to win with 4 umpire votes against one. In the Euros in May Arne walked over me 3-2. In the final I met Mike Legendre of the USA and won 4-1. Alltogeter I met six opponents from three different continents, my opponents came from the USA, Kyrgysztan, Norway, Germany and Japan.

After a bit surprising win in the patterns it was very difficult to find the right sparring mood. That road came to an end in the 3rd round against Poland's Marcin Wronowski 2-1 with one umpire seeing it even. Sparring training has been more difficult this Autumn than before and I haven't fought enough rounds in trainings. We've had good sessions with my coach Mikko Allinniemi, though, and we've managed to develope the qualities needed in sparring rather well.

When it comes to the end of the year, I'm putting emphasis on basic conditioning and -strength for a while. After Christmas we'll fly over to Thailand again for a three week training camp. There I'll start with speed and speed strength among TKD. The first competition on 2009 will be the Finnish Champs in February and after that there will be for sure at least Viking Cup in Sweden. The main event of the Spring is the Euros in Spain in the end of April. The most important goal of this season is of course the World Championships in November 2009 in Argentiina

Videos from the World Cup here:
http://www.ismomakinen.com/web/pages/kuva-ja-videogalleria/videot/kisavideot.php

World Cup official website:
http://www.itfeurope.org/wc3-rivadgarda.html

The draw of 3rd degree patterns:
http://www.itfeurope.org/download/World%20Cup%20-%20Italy%202009/Drabinki/072.31123%20-%20Ind.%20Male%20Pattern,%203%20Dan,%2018-35yrs.pdf